In July 2026, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses were subject to a surprise inspection by Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh. Despite the minister’s undercover visit, commuters report that problems such as buses skipping stops, rude conductors, and boarding difficulties remain.
Pavan Kumar, a regular BMTC commuter in Peenya, said that buses frequently fail to stop at designated bus stops, leaving passengers stranded. “Even when passengers are waiting, buses sometimes pass without stopping, leaving us stranded. This is particularly frustrating for daily commuters who depend on public transport to reach their workplaces on time,” he added. Kishore B.H., a resident of Bilekahalli who uses the airport bus route KIA‑14, complained that most airport buses do not stop even when passengers signal. “They stop in the middle of the road, forcing passengers to board amid moving traffic. When we question the drivers and conductors, they respond rudely. Despite repeatedly complaining to BMTC, we have not seen any improvement,” he said.
During the checks, Mr. Suresh travelled incognito on more than ten bus routes across Bengaluru, including Hebbal, Manyata Tech Park, and Hennur. He directed officials to initiate disciplinary action, including suspension where warranted, against crew members found refusing passengers, skipping designated stops, or behaving rudely. Commuter Mohan Prasad from Shanthinagar urged that such inspections be conducted regularly to ensure accountability, arguing that surprise visits keep staff compliant.
A senior BMTC official explained that the corporation transports around 45 lakh passengers daily and covers approximately 16,000 kilometres across its network. “Such incidents are unfortunate and bring a bad name to the corporation. We regularly advise our crew members and ensure that commuter complaints are addressed appropriately and on time,” the official said. He added that BMTC is training its crew to improve passenger service and behaviour.
